Unit Plan 30 (Grade 7 ELA): Reading Science/History Texts with Visuals
Grade 7 ELA unit: students interpret charts, diagrams, and maps to extract trends, identify domain-specific vocabulary, and evaluate media credibility. They integrate text and visual evidence to write clear, accurate explanations that show how visuals deepen understanding.
Focus: Interpreting charts/diagrams/maps; domain vocabulary in context
Grade Level: 7
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Reading Informational; Media/Visual Literacy)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Science and history texts often embed meaning in the visuals—charts, diagrams, timelines, and maps. This week, students practice a visual-first read (axes, units, legends, scale, labels), determine domain-specific vocabulary from context, and integrate what visuals and prose each contribute. They’ll also check credibility and accuracy of media, then write tight evidence-based explanations that combine text and visual evidence.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Interpret charts, diagrams, and maps by identifying parts (title, axes, units, legend/scale, labels), trends, and anomalies; explain what the visual contributes beyond the prose (RI.7.7).
- Determine the meanings of domain-specific words and phrases (technical terms, symbols, process language) using context, morphology, and reference features (RI.7.4).
- Analyze main ideas and key details presented in diverse media formats and evaluate credibility/accuracy of the information (source, date, design choices) (SL.7.2).
- Compose short, evidence-based responses that integrate information from text and visuals (RI.7.7; RI.7.4; SL.7.2).
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 7
- Reading Informational 7.7 (RI.7.7): Compare/contrast a text with its visual/multimedia version; analyze what is emphasized in each.
- Reading Informational 7.4 (RI.7.4): Determine the meaning of words/phrases in a text, including technical meanings in a subject area.
- Speaking & Listening 7.2 (SL.7.2): Analyze main ideas and supporting details in diverse media; evaluate credibility/accuracy.
Success Criteria — student language
- I can name what a visual shows (trend, pattern, change) and how I know (units, labels).
- I can figure out technical words using context and word parts and explain them in my own words.
- I can state the main idea of a visual, judge if it’s trustworthy, and explain why.
- I can write a clear explanation that uses evidence from both the text and the visual.